best way to dry off

[Okie Amazon]

We are waiting for our two girls to go into heat - since we'll be sending them over to someone elses place to be bred, I need to dry them off before they go, because the lady where we are sending them doesn't milk. They are both way down right now anyway. Should I just quit milking? If they were dogs, I'd fast them for a day, then cut their feed in half for a couple more, but these girls are only getting a little feed when I milk right now anyway. I can't just shut them up and keep them from browsing all day can I?

 

[20kidsonhill]

I was thinking use a hair dryer, but we use the top part of our shop vac and put it in reverse, and then I realized you were referring to a goat that is being milked.

 

[damummis]

I would like to know as well.

 

[damummis]

Now come on folks, I know all you goat people have dried off at least one animal. Share. How do we do it? Cold turkey? Gradually?


This is why some people get discouraged using this forum. No answers to a valid question. I am pushy though. So will SOMEONE answer this question for the OP.

 

[Goatherd]

I'll tell you what I did/do and how it has worked. I have two first time moms that kidded twins at the end of May. Their kids were raised naturally with them, meaning the moms fed the kids. They were never separated from their mom, even at night. Fast forward...the two wethered boys are gone and the two doe kids are still here. Moms were never milked by anyone except their kids. Their daughters are weaned and don't attempt to nurse at all at this point. Moms udders are slowly getting smaller, but it is taking time. They've had no dietary changes whatsoever and still are pastured, given hay, and grain. No problems here with either of the moms. So I guess I would tell you cold turkey is how it went here.

 

[aggieterpkatie]

There really is no "best" way to do it, because people do things differently. I do works best for me though, and what the dairy industry does, and I just dry off cold turkey. Normally production is slowing anyways, so I stop feeding any concentrates (like grain) and I only feed water and grass hay. Some people take away water, but I will never remove water from any live being. The udder needs 5 days of no milking to get the signals to stop producing milk. After 5 days if the udder is still very full (normally it will be), I'll milk the udder out just to lessen the amount of milk the body has to resorb. This is also a good chance to look for any signs of mastitis.

Now with my sheep, the lambs get weaned and the ewes get dried off cold turkey. No milk out later, they're on their own and I've never had any issues. I've also never had any issues with goats and very rarely seen issues with the cows. I personally feel it's too back-and-forth to draw the process out and milk one day, skip one day, etc. The udder won't get the signal to quit producing.

 

[aggieterpkatie]

This is why some people get discouraged using this forum. No answers to a valid question. I am pushy though. So will SOMEONE answer this question for the OP.

Patience, Daniel-son. People aren't ignoring the question, just give us some time to answer.

 

[damummis]

This is why some people get discouraged using this forum. No answers to a valid question. I am pushy though. So will SOMEONE answer this question for the OP.

Patience, Daniel-son. People aren't ignoring the question, just give us some time to answer.

I know, I know..... Hangs head and shuffles feet.

Cold turkey you say. I didn't milk yesterday with every intention of stopping cold turkey. Daisy seems fine, I think she was ready anyway. Hazel, I felt so bad for this morning I milked. Her udder was SO engorged. I never saw it so big. I got her in milk and never milked more than a quart from her. This morning it was almost a gallon. I hope it is a sign of her full potential next spring. If I can I will get a pic when she fills back up. Cold turkey it is then. This will be interesting. Maybe I will take a daily pic to compare......

 

[SuburbanFarmChic]

If you have one that is VERY full after two days though it is a sign that you will need to use the milking down technique or you risk blowing the udder and teats. Each animal is different.

 

[ksalvagno]

http://www.backyardherds.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=6187&p=1